(_Aside to
MAC-HORATIO, who smiles._) I know his cellar!

_MacGertrude_. I will take it for you, dear! (_Impatiently._) Give me
the cup? (_Seizes it._) The Queen carouses to thy fortunes, TELMAH!
[_Drinks eagerly and with gusto._

_MacClaudius_ (_aside_). The poisoned cup at eighteen shillings the
dozen! It is too late! Ma gracious! [_QUEEN dies in agonies._

_MacLaertes_. TELMAH, I am slain, and so are you--the foils are tipped
with poison! (_Speaking with difficulty._) Prod the old 'un!

[_Dies._

_Telmah._ The point envenomed, too! Then venom do thy work!

[_Stabs King and dies._

_Ghost_ (_entering in blue fire, triumphantly to MACCLAUDIUS_). Now,
you'll remember me! [_MACCLAUDIUS dies._

[_Soft music. Scene sinks, discovering magnificent funeral
ceremony at the Abbey, Elsinore, near Edinburgh. A solemn
dirge (specially composed for this new and original piece) is
sung. Slow Curtain._

* * * * *

PROS AND CONS OF FOREIGN TRAVEL.

(_BY A HESITATING TRIPPIST._)

_Antwerp_.--Lots of Rubens, _but_ the Harwich route is objectionable
in "dusty" weather.

_Boulogne_.--Great attraction this year--Ex-Queen of NAPLES
installed--_but_ the port, at low tide, requires all the perfumes of
Araby, and more.

[Illustration]

_Cologne_.--Cathedral finished, _but_ local scent is accurately
expressed by "Oh!"

_Dieppe_.--Casino cheery, _but_ the passage from Newhaven to French
coast at times too terrible for words.

_Etretat_.--Amusing society, _but_ the sanitary arrangements are
rather shady.

_Florence_.--The Capital of Art, _but_ at its worst in the dog days.

_Geneva_.--Within reach of Mont Blanc, _but_ hotels indifferent, even
when under "Royal Patronage."

_Heidelberg_.--Magnificent view from the Castle, _but_ too many Cooks
spoil the prospect.

_Interlaken_.--Jungfrau splendid, _but_ not free from 'ARRIES and
'ARRIETTS.

_Jerusalem_.--Interesting associations, _but_ travelling on mule-back
is a trial to born pedestrians.

_Kissingen_.--Out of the beaten track, _but_ query rather too much so.

_Lucerne_.--Lovely; _but_ comfort takes a back seat if the
Schweitzerhoff is full.

_Madrid_.--Plenty of pictures, _but_ cholera in the neighbourhood.

_Naples_.--Famous Bay never off, _but_ scarcely the place to face an
epidemic.

_Ouchy_.--Beau Rivage beyond all praise, _but_ environs uninteresting.

_Paris_.--Always pleasant--_save_ in August.